19 hours ago
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The Imo State Police Command has arrested one Obinna Obiekea, popularly known as Losky, and one of his sons, Chidubem Obiekea, for allegedly setting ablaze one of his kinsmen, Chima Okafor, on New Year’s Day.
The father of the deceased, Mr Uche Okafor, who spoke to journalists in Owerri, on Monday after submitting a petition to the state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, disclosed that his son, 35, was dragged out of a church on December 31, at Nnebugwu autonomous community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, where was attending a crossover night service and was allegedly set ablaze by the suspects for allegedly stealing a jean knicker valued N25,000.
He informed that his son was rushed to Congregation of the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Hospital at Mgbele in Oguta, where he died due to the high degree of burns he suffered from the attack.
The petition, which was dated January 6 and titled ‘Killing of my son on January Ist by Mr Obinna Obiekea, Nwamaka Obiekea, Eloka and Chidubem Obiekea’ reads, “My name is Mr Uche Okafor from Umuisoma village in Nnebugwu autonomous community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
“My son, Chima Okafor, 35, was burnt to death by Obinna Obiekea (Losky) with his wife, Nwamaka Obiekea, his sons, Eloka and Chidubem Obiekea, on January 1st in my hometown.
“He dragged my son from a Cherubim and Seraphim Church, where he was attending crossover night church service, after accusing him of stealing his son’s jean knicker worth N25,000. Together with his sons, they dragged my son to their compound, used weapons to disfigure him and set him ablaze, immediately.
“My son was later rescued and rushed to Congregation of the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Hospital at Mgbele in Oguta, where he died the same day, owing to a high degree of burn he suffered.
“Already the matter has been transferred to the state CID with Obinna Obiekea (Losky) and Chidubem Obiekea arrested by the police while Eloka and Nwamaka are at large.
“I urge you, sir, to use your good offices to ensure that those at large are arrested and justice dispensed in this matter.”
The father of the deceased, while speaking to journalists in an emotion-laden voice, urged the CP, the state governor, Alex Ortiz, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ensure that justice is served in the matter.
South-East PUNCH investigation revealed that the prime suspect and one of his sons had been arrested by the police and were being interrogated by the personnel of the homicide section of the police authorities in Owerri, the state capital.
A source who doesn’t want to be mentioned for security reasons said, “Yes, the prime suspect and one of his sons have been arrested. They were arrested in Oguta and transferred to the homicide section of the state CID in Owerri. It is a case of murder and a lot is needed to be done to establish it or otherwise. The operatives will visit the scene of the crime.
“An autopsy will be conducted by a pathologist on the dead with a witness from the suspects present and a report will be compiled before going to court. Without these things, you can’t establish a murder case in court.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Police in the state, Henry Okoye, informed that two suspects were with the police in Owerri.
He informed that the state Commissioner of Police had ordered a thorough investigation into the crime.
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